Apparatus for washing clothes



Sept. 19, 1939. P. E. GELDHOF APPARATUS FOR WASHING CI.OTHES Filed Jan. s, 19:55 s sheets-sheet 1 /NvE/vro e WITNESS y H779 RNE-Y Sept. 19, 1939.

P.- E. -GELDHQF APPARATUS Fon wAsHmG'cLoTHEs Filled Jan. 25; 1s:55 s sheds-sheet 2' /N VEN TOR Jwwu @5MM Hrronwfr i l I il WIT/ves;

P. E( GELDHQF APPARATUS FOR WASHIG CLOTHES sept. 19, '1939.

Filed Jan; 25, 195:5` s sheets-sheet s qTTUFNEY Patented Sept. 19, 1939 Peter Eduard Gemini, syracuse,

to Easy Washing MachinefCorporation, Syracusc, `N. Y., a corporation of-Delaware Application. January 25, 1935, serial No. 3,423

` 1s (ci. iis-133).

This invention relates to newland useful improvements in apparatus for washing clothes, and more particularly, to washing machines of the agitator type. v

I havediscovered that a more violent agitation of the clothes and a better cleansing action can Y be obtained by employing a new and distinctive mode of dolly operation. More specifically, it is an object'of this invention to provide driving means for actuating dollies in clothes washing machines which impart an oscillating movement to the clothes and washing iiuid, and also -apro-f gressive circulatory movement fin one direction around the-washing machine vat,` whereby more complete circulation of the clothes is obtained.

A further object of the invention isto provide driving means for dollies of washing machines that imparts rotation of the dolly in alternate directions through unequal angular distances so as to produce, in addition to the oscillatory agitationof the clothes, a progressive step-by-step circulation in one direction, whereby the clothes are more violently agitated, and more completely exposed to the' cleansing action of the iiuid.

Although my invention is broadly applicable t dollies of the oscillating type, such as that. shown in Geldhoi Patent No. 1,937,884, I have found that when applied to the type of dolly construction disclosed in United States Patent No. 1,923,580, `issued August 22, 1933, toiJ. C. Nelson,l greatly improved results can be obtained over those obtainable with ordinary dollies.

It is a further objectof my invention to im,- prove the washing eiciency of a spiral dolly of the type .shown in the Nelson patent above referred to.- I have discovered that this can be ac, complishedby increasing the velocity of circulaticnof the washing fluid and clothes in the advancingspiral-direction `and decreasing the ve1oc ity. oi'- the dolly inthe"reverse direction ,without changing the period of oscillation Vof the dolly.

Thus, in the forward or advancingspiral direction, the dolly is made to travel through a greater angular distance than in the reverse direction of travel. 'I'he result is that the velocity of circulation of the clothes and the washing iiuid will be greatly increased, thereby permitting a larger quantity ofclothes to be washed more effectively in a shorter period of time.

Other objects'and advantages of this inven' 'tion will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view through thetnborawasmngmachineshcgvingsdplly' ll-lofFigureit.

-shaped hub l2' having a series of, in this instance,

'respect to a line normal to in plan` therein, operated accordance with my I invention.

mechanism of my invention.

5- Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line` 3 3 of Figure 4. v Figure 4 is a sectionalview taken along line Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 1o 5-,5 -oi' Figure 2. 1

Figure SVdiagrammatica-lly illustrates the path A' v of circulation ofv the `clothes and washing iiuid within the washing. vat produced by actuating the dolly in accordance with one of the methods of my invention. l l

Figure 7 diagrammatically illustrates the path of circulation of clothes and'washing fluid for a modified method 0f dolly operation. f

Figure 8 is a perspective view of another form 20 of dolly which may be used in my invention.

In the drawings, a washing machine vat or tub 8 preferably circular in horizontal cross section is provided with a removable cover l and the fbottom or the tub s has an opening substantially centrally located adapted to-receive one end of an. upstanding sleeve Il, which may be secured4 to the bottom ofthe tub in any well-linown water-tight manne Y A A dolly shaft lI-is pitioned within sleeve Il I extending upwardly beyond the end of the sleeve terminating in a splined end portion adapted to engage a similar splined portion in the closed` end of dolly I2 i'or4 supporting theV dolly and for imparting to it`oscillatory motion. y Y A Dolly`l2, as shown in Figures 1, and 7, is of a spiral .type specifically illustrated and described in United StatcsPatent No. 1,923,580 above rei ferred to, and comprises a preferably conical 4o three spirally arranged blades Il, Il and II thereon. Although these blades may project a uniform distance from the surfaceof the coneshaped hub throughout their length, it is preferable that-.they should gradually widen from their upper to their lower portion. It is also desirable to incline the spirally arranged blades with4 the' -axis oi or to the surface of the cone. Y

The Aangle of linclination may be uniform l inclinedtcward the surface of the cone, 5 5

which, for the purpose of this specification, will be called the forward side. Rotation of the dolly in the clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1 will also be designated as the forward direction is coupled through flexible coupling 28 to drive shaft 2I extending into gear case I6 and upon which is xedly secured a pinion 22. Pinion 22 is adapted to mesh with gear 23 fixedly secured to shaft 24 also journaled in suitable bearings within gear case I6. Shaft 24 may be provided .with a worm 25 clutched in operative relation with sleeve 26 integrally formed with gear 23.

Worm 25 is adapted to mesh'with a worm wheel 21 revolubly mounted on a stub shaft 28 socketed in a suitable boss in the lower side of gear case i6.

A crank pin 29 is eccentrically positioned and flxedly secured to worm wheel 21. Connecting rod 30 having a stirrup-shaped end portion 3I is journaled to crankl pin 29 by means of a bearing 32 provided in the enlarged end of portion 3I.

Connecting rod 30 is provided with-a longitudinal bore adapted to receive a shaft 33 extending into the enclosure of portion 3| and carrying tliereon a beveled gear 34 secured by means ofaset screw 35. Beveled gear 34 is adapted to mesh with a similar `beveled gear 36, in this instance, mounted on the free end of crank pin 29 and retained in position by a set screw 31. To

the other end of shaft 33 is secured by a setscrew 39, a worm 38 having a relatively large number of threads. Shaft 33 preferably extends beyond worm 38 and is journaled in a traversing frame` 40, which, in this instance, may begiinteg'rally formed with connecting rod 30. Traversing frame 40 is adapted to slide in a guide member 4I comprising spaced upperfand lower guide plates 43 and 44 pivotally mounted on dolly shaft l I., as shown in Figures 2 and 5.

The inner surface of plate 43 is provided with a channel 45 while a similar channel 46 is provided in opposed relation .to channel 45 in the lower plate 44, the two channels being adapted to slidably receive traversing frame 40. Secured to dolly shaft II as by means of a key or set' screw, and positioned between guide plates 43 and 44 is a worm wheel 42 adapted to mesh with worm 38.

The operation of the driving mechanism for oscillatingidolly I2 is as follows: Motor I9 drives worm 25 through pinion gears 22 and 23. Worm wheel 21 in mesh with worm 25 will be rotated, in this instance, in a clock-wise direction as viewed in Figure 2.

Crank pin 29 will revolve with worm wheel 21 and impart substantially longitudinal reciprocating movement to connecting rod 30, worm- 38 and traversing frame 40. Traversing frame 40 being adapted to slide in channels 45 and 4'8, will always maintain worm 38 in mesh with worm wheel 42.

Guide member 4I being pivotally mounted with respect to dolly shaft II, will accommodate changes in the angular position of connecting rodH 30 accompanying its reciprocating movement produced by the rotation'of crank pin 29. `Worm 38 functions as a rack to oscillate worm wheel 42, which escalates dolly shaft Il. if. worm 38 were fixed with respect to connecting rod 30 and traversing frame 40, and not permitted to rotate, it would impart uniform oscillatory motion to dolly shaft II or, in other words, dolly shaft II would be alternately rotated in opposite directions through equal angular distances. However, shaft 33 is adapted to be rotated by means of gear 34 in mesh with gear 36 fixed `upon crank pin 29.

As worm wheel 21 and crank pin 29 are rotated uniformly in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, shaft 33 and worm 38 will also be rotated at a uniform velocity. Worm 38 being in mesh with worm wheel 42 on dollyshaft II will .impart a clockwise rotation of constant velocity to dolly I2, as viewed in Figure 1.

The velocity of rotation of vdolly I2 produced bythe rotation of worm 38 will be algebraically additive to the velocity of rotation of the dolly produced by the reciprocating rack action of worm gear 38 when the worm 38 is moving toward the right. The net velocity of the dolly in that given direction will be the sum of the two velocities. When the linear movement of the worm 38 is in such a direction as to impart motion in the reverse direction to dolly I2, that is towards the left, as viewed in Figure 2, the net velocity of the dolly will be the difference between the two velocities; that is, the velocity imparted by the linear movement of Worm 38 and the velocity imparted by the rotational movement of worm 38. Since-the period of oscillation is constant, being determined by the constant rotation of worm wheel 21, the dolly will rotate through a greater angular distance in the clockwise than in the counter-clockwise direction.

In practice, I have found it desirable to rotate the dolly in a forward or clockwise direction through an arc of substantially 190 degrees more or less. Illhe rotation of the dolly in the reverse direction is preferably limited to an angular displacement of substantially degrees more or less. This is diagrammatically shown in Figure 1.

Considering the forward edge of blade I3 as a startingpolnt, when the dolly is atrest, and crank pin 29 is in the position shownin Figure 2, the dolly will have rotated in a clockwise direction through an arc of 190 degrees at the time when crank pin 29 reaches a position 180 degrees from the starting point. As crank pin 29 continues to rotate from the degree positionto the starting point, thereby impartingl a reverse direction of rotation to dolly I2, the dolly will travel through an arc of only 160 degrees as shown in Figure 1. Upon the second revolution of crank pin 29, the cycle of operation is repeated in which the dolly, starting from its new position 30 degrees advanced from the former starting position, again advances degrees, and then moves in a reverse direction only 160 degrees. Thus, it is seen that the dolly progressively, in thestepby-step manner, advances 'in a forward, or in this instance, a clockwise direction. f

The increase in velocity of the dolly in the forward direction and the-decrease in velocity of the dolly in the opposite direction, from that of a dolly of the Nelson type when oscillated with equal oscillations in both directions, greatly increases the velocity of the clothes and washing uid in the forward direction. 4The path of movement-of the clothes and washing iiuidis schematically illustrated in Figure 6. In accordance with the theory of operation fully described in the Nelson patent above referred to,

the vacuum created between and adjacent the reverse movement thereof, draws the clothes down between the blades to be forced to the botto of the vat vand dischargedoutwardly from the lowerv portion of the bladefrom which point they slowly rise to the'surface taking a spiral path around thevat as shown vby the long arrows in Figure 6. vUnder normal load conditions, this spiral path may extend substantially throughout the entire circumference of the vat, or in -other words, the clothes may make a complete revolution or more before being again sucked downwardly between adjacent blades.

By way of comparison, the path of clothes and Washing fluid produced by the dolly oscillated through equal reverse arcs in accordance with the Nelson Patent No. 1,923,580 undernormal.

load conditions, is shown by the short arrows of Figure 6. 'Ihe short arrows are used to designate a lower velocity than that obtained by employing the method of this invention. By increasing the velocity of rotation of the dolly in the forward direction and securing a step-by-step progressive rotation of the dolly in the clockwise direction,

' it is possible to secure a high fluid velocity and a .tion of the dolly more rapid circulation and more thorough agitation of the clothes. It is, therefore, apparent that a greater amount of clothes may be more thoroughly cleansed in ashorter period of time.

The operation as formerly described was for a condition in which worm gear 21 was rotated in the clockwise direction. Now, -if Worm gear 21 is driven in a counter-clockwise direction, beveled gear 36 will also drive shaft 33 through. gearv 34 ina reverse direction. Reversing the direction lof rotation of shaft 33 and, consequently, worm 38, will, due to the rotation of worm gear 38 alone,

apart from its reciprocatory movement, impart a' uniform rotation of dolly I2 in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed as shown in Figure 1.

The reciprocating movement of worm 38 will remain unaffected. The net result upon the ac- I 2 will be the reverse of that formerly described. In this instance, the velocity of the dolly in a forward direction will be equal to the diierence of the velocity imparted to it by the linear movement'of worm 38 and the velocity imparted to it bythe rotational movement of worm 38, The velocity of dolly I2 inthe counter- Iclockwise direction will be the sum of the aforenamed velocities. The dolly will be rotated in a clockwise direction throughlo degrees, and in a counter-clockwisedirection through 190 degrees, the resultbeing that the dolly progressively travels step-by-step in a counter-clockwise direction. is toY decrease the forward rotational velocity of the clothes and washing uid caused by the inclination and curvature of the blades, but at the same time, due to the increased velocity of the .dolly in the opposite direction, a greater vacuum is created between and adjacent the upper portions of the blades so 'that the clothes, piece by piece, are more' violently drawn down between adjacent blades and are more forcefully ejected from the lower portions. f

The `path of movement oi' the clothes and washing fluid is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure '1. It will -be noted that this path has been greatly shortened and the circulation has been reduced considerably circumferentially around the v at as4 compared -to the action of dolly andl washing iiuid shown in Figure 6 .however` the vertical component of the velocity has been greatly increased.

I Although the pathof movement of the clothes The effect of this particularmovement i .tates step by step in and washing fluid are circulated in one resultant ature and inclination of the blades, or, if desired,

by still further increasing the velocity of rotation k of the dolly in the counter-clockwise direction the contents of the yat may be caused to ow in the counter-clockwise direction.

My invention may be'applied with good results to any of the commercial forms of dolly now in use,'for,example toa dolly of the type shown in Geldhof Patent No. 1,937,884 as illustrated in Fig.

8. This type of dolly has a plurality of diametri@ cally extending plane blades 48 with intermediate smaller blades 49' arranged circumferentially about an upstanding central hub. When a dolly of this type is rotated alternately in opposite directions through equal angular distances, the

y clothes are subjected to a limited oscillatory circumferential movement within the vat aswell as to a movement `upward and down therein. The

washing eiiiciency of dollies of this general type -may be improved by increasing the velocity of the dolly in one direction and decreasing the velocity of the dolly in the opposite direction so that the dolly travels through a greater angular vdistance in one direction than inthe opposite direction, in accordance with this invention. ,'Ihus, the

clothes are subjected to a more violent agitation A and, at the same time, are more completely circulated through the washing uid in that they are actually made to progress in a step-by-step manner circumferentially around the vat. Inasmuch as the dolly shown in the said Geldhof patent is symmetrical, the washing action would be the l same for a progression of the clothes. and washing fluid in either direction around the vat.

Although I have shown and described specic forms, and constructions of apparatus as constituting embodiments of 'the invention, I do not l desire to limit myself to the details of the constructions and forms illustrated, as various changes and modifications may be made without `departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for washing clothes wherein` an agitator is mounted in a vat containing clothes `and washing fluid, a plurality of blades mounted on the agitator, said blades extending from said agitator in a manner such that when theagitator is oscillated through equal angles in each direction of rotation of the agitator the clothes are. oscillated backwadly .and forwardly through'equal ang-les in accordance with the osf cillatiois of the agitator, driving mechanism for the agitator, said agitator being oscillated by said mechanism at all times `in the same horizontal plane, and .means in connection with the` driving mechanism for oscillating the vagitator through a larger angle in ne vdirection of rotation than in the other whereby the agitator rof one direction `and the clothes/ circulatory direction around 'the vat'. 2. In a machine for washing clothes having a y ngurated so as to circulate fluid and clothes.

clothes washing element of the submerged type mounted in a vat containing the clothes and washing uid, the bottom of said clothes washing element being approximately half the diameter of the vat, said clothes washing element having a plurality of blades extending therefrom, driving mechanism for the clothes washing element including a shaft extending upward through the bottom of the Avat and operatively connected to the clothes washing element, said clothes Washing element being oscillated by said driving mechanism at all times in the same horizontal plane, and means in connection with the driving mechanism for oscillating the clothes washing element through a larger angle in one direction of rotation than in the other direction, whereby the clothes washing element rotates step by step in one direction. 3. In a machine for washing clothes. a vat, an upstanding oscillatable agitator mounted therein, driving mechanism for oscillating said agitator, said agitator being oscillated by said driving -mechanism at all times in the same horizontal plane, said agitator including means configurated so as to circulate fluid and clothes around the vat in one general circulatory direction respcnsive to the operation of the agitator, and means in the driving mechanism for imparting a smaller angle of rotation to said agitator in the general direction of circulation of the clothes and iiuid than in the opposite direction. 4. In a machine for washing clothes, a vat, an upstanding oscillatable agitator mounted therein, driving mechanism for oscillating said agitator, said agitator being oscillated by said driving mechanism at all times in the same horizontal plane, saidagitator including means congurated so as to circulate fluid and clothes'around the vatin one general circulatory direction responsive to the operation of the agitator, and means in the driving mechanism for imparting a greater angle oi rotation to said agitator in one direction than in the opposite direction.

5. In a machine ior washing clothes, a vat, an

upstanding oscillatable agitator mounted therein, driving mechanism for oscillating said agitator, saidagitator being oscillated by said driving mechanism at all times in the same horizontal plane, said agitator including means configurated so as to circulate iluid and clothes around the vat in one general circulatory direction responsive to the operation -of the agitator, and means in the driving mechanism for imparting agreater angle of rotation to said agitator in the general direction oi circulation of the clothes land g iluid than in the opposite direction.

6. In a machine for washing clothes, a vat. an upstanding oscillatable agitator mounted therein, driving mechanism for oscillating said agitator, said agitator being oscillated by said driving mechanism atl all times in the same horizontal plane, said agitator including means conaround the'vat in one general circulatory direction responsive to the operation of the agitator,

and means in the driving mechanism for im-- parting a higher averagerotational velocity to said agitator in the general directionl of circulation of clothes and iluid than in the opposite direction.

'1. In a machine for washing clothes, a vat,-V

ani npstanding oscillatable agitator mounted therein, driving mechanism for oscillating said agitator, said agitator being oscillated bysaid driving mechanism at all times in the same horiamavis zontal plane, said ,agitator including means configurated so as to circulate fluid and clothes around the vat in onegeneral circulatory direction responsive to the operation of the agitator, and means in the driving mechanism for imparting a lower average rotational velocity to said agitator in the general direction of circulation of clothes and iluid than in the opposite direction.

8. In a diierential driving-gear, a support, a shaft rotatably mounted thereon, a drive-gear wheel revolubly mounted in the support, a. planetary bevel-gear-wheel rigidly united to one side o f said drive-wheel and spaced eccentrically thereof, a crank-pin mounted in said drive-wheel concentric with the bevel-gear-wheel, a link member having one end pivoted upon the crankpin and its opposite end forming a sleeve, a connecting-rod revolvably mounted in said sleeve and extending outwardlyat both ends thereof and carrying a bevel-gear-pinion upon one end adapted to mesh with the bevel-gear-wheel and having its opposite end formed into a worm, a worm-gear-wheel mounted upon the lower end of the shaft in mesh with the worm on the connecting-rod, a sleeve having a lateral extension pivoted upon the shaft and adapted to-guide and hold the worm in mesh with the worm-gearwheel, and means for actuating the drive-gearwheel.

9. In a diierential driving-gear, `supporting means, a pair of shafts rotatably mounted thereon, a drive-gear united to the mst offsaid shafts, a planetary bcvel-gear-wheel rigidly united to centric with the bevel-gear-wheel, a link member having one end pivoted upon the crank-pin and its opposite end forming a sleeve, a connecting-rodrevolvably mounted in said sleeve and vextending outwardly at both' ends thereof andvv carrying a bevel-gear-pinion upon one end adapted to mesh with the bevel-gear-wheel and having its opposite end formed into a worm, a worm-gear-wheel mounted upon the corresponding part of the second shaft in mesh with the worm on the connecting-rod, a sleeve having a lateral extension pivoted upon the second shaft and adapted to guide and hold the worm in mesh with the worm-gear-wheel. and means for actuating the drive-gear wheel.

10. In a differential driving-gear. supporting means, a vertical shaft rotatably mounted therein, a connecting-rod having one end formed into a worm, a worm-gear-wheel mounted upon the lower end of the shaft in mesh with the worm on tension pivoted upon the shaft and adapted to guide and hold the worm in mesh with the wormgear-wheel, and means for continuously rotating the connecting-rod in one direction in asingle horizontal plane and for driving it reciprocatingly longitudinally in the same plan.

11. In a diiierential driving-gear, supporting means',a shaft rotatably-mounted therein, a connecting-rod having one end formed into a worm,

a worm-gear-wheel mounted upon the lower end .oi the shaft in mesh with the worm on the conj the connecting-rod, a sleeve having a lateral exdrive-wheel concentric with the bevel-gear-wheel.-

a link member having oneendpivoted upon the crank-pin and its opposite end ,forming a sleeve,'

a connecting-rod revolvably mounted in said-sleeve and extending outwardly at both ends thereof and carrying a bevel-gear-pinion upon one end adapted to mesh with the bev'el-gear-wheel and having its opposite end formed into a worm, `and means united to the second shaft whereby the rotary and reciprocating motion of the connecting-rod when driven by the bevel-gears and crankpin, may be transmitted to the second shaft and cause a reciprocating rotary movement thereof and also a progressive rotational movement with each reciprocation thereof. K

13. In a differential driving-gear for a shaft, the combination with a housing, of a ,shaft carrying a worm-gear-'wheel mounted in said houslng, a sleeve having an extension formed thereon pivotally mounted upon said shaft. a connectingrod having a worm formed upon one end thereof and slidably and rotatably mounted in said sleeve, in mesh with the gear-wheel, and means for simultaneously reciprocating and rotating said connecting-rod in a single plane at a right angle to the shaft.

14. Means for securing a. differential reciprocating rotary action of a shaft which consists in securing a worm-gear to such shaft and securing A suitably coupled to the connecting-rod, and rotate ing the connecting-rod by the rotation of a bevelpinion secured upon such rod in mesh with a planetary bevel-gear mounted adjacent to and concentric with the crank-pin.

16. In a mechanical movement, horizontal drive and driven gear-wheels, means by which the drive wheel may cause a simultaneous reciprocatory rotaryand a progressive rotary movement of the driven wheel comprising a rotatable connectingrod having one end pivotally linked to a crank-pin carried by the drive-wheel and carrying a bevelpinion meshed with a bevel-gear-wheel rigidly united to the drive wheel concentric with crankpin, and carrying on its other -end a worm meshing with the driven wheel.

1'7. -In al mechanical movement, drive and driven gear-wheels mounted in the same plane, means by which the drive wheel may cause a simultaneous reciprocatory rotary and a progressive rotary movement of the driven wheel comprising a rotatable connecting-rod having one end pivotally linked to a crank-pin carried by the drive wheel and carrying a bevel-pinion meshed with a bevel-gear-wheel rigidly united to the drive wheel concentric with crank-pin. and carrying on its other end a worm meshing with the driven wheel.

18. In a mechanical movement, a support, a drive and driven gear-wheels mounted thereon and spaced apart, and means by which the drive wheel may cause a simultaneous reciprocatory rotary and a progressive rotary movement of the driven wheel comprising a rotatable connecting-1i A rod having one end pivotally linked to a crank-pinl carried by the drive wheel and carrying a bevelpinion meshed with a bevel-gear-wheel rigidly united to the drive wheel concentric with crankpin, and carrying onits other end a worm mesh- `ing with the -driven wheel.

` P. EDUARD GELDHOF. 

